Hammersmith

Weather: Cool, cloudy - Min 8, Max 16

After two days of travelling into central London we kept closer to Hammersmith exploring the area before walking along the Thames Path on the north bank to the west. We also knew we were in for a big day tomorrow so we decided to conserve our energy. However, we walked for miles so our early plans went out the window. 

On the path we passed The Blue Anchor Inn again and this time there was no one about, unlike last Monday on the Bank Holiday when it was heaving and people were jostling for tables. We could get a clearer view of its appearance. We didn’t see any New Tricks cast or Gwenth Paltrow.

On our way we passed boats high and dry with the tide still going out at a fast pace.

Further along the path and our main aim of being a tourist today was the William Morris Society and Museum at Kelmscott House. It sits directly on the Thames Path overlooking the river. The Morris Museum is small and well presented and is in the old coach house and the basement rooms. The remainder of the large house is leased out by the society. Morris lived with his family in the house from 1878 to 1896 until his death. We came across it last Monday but discovered the museum is only open Thursday to Sunday so today being a Thursday was our first opportunity to visit.

We realised we knew very little about William Morris except he was the founder of the Arts and Craft Movement. We now know that he was a man with wide interests including writing poetry, social activism and publications. There were a number of his original popular works drawn, coloured and framed as well his textiles and furniture. 

Morris was a socialist and Kelmscott House became the centre of the socialist movement in London. He wrote many publications which were all printed by him with his press company known as Kelmscott Press on the large printing press in his home. 

Next to the press was an impressive, large book known as the Kelmscott Chaucer which took four years to make and is considered to be one of the most beautiful books ever produced. Morris’s intention was to revive the style of early printing and the medieval manuscript. It was the last book made by Kelmscott Press before Morris died. Only 486 copies were made. Interestingly we were able to touch it and view its many pages. Morris invented a number of fonts for his printing purposes. 

From the museum we continued along the path. It was election day today in many parts of the UK. We past one polling booth with nary a person or a  democracy sausage in sight. 

At noon we came across a small corner Italian cafe/restaurant called Mari Deli Dining. We were hungry and we had a delicious Italian lunch made by the Italian family. All the tables were old Singer sewing machines. 

Outside the restaurant there was the cutest little car filled with fruit, flowers and vegetables. 

From the restaurant we kept on walking for over an hour on the Thames Path walking past lovely houses, pubs and parks such as the Dukes Meadows and watching the river’s tide. 

We finally called it a day at Mortlake and Henk found a bus route to take us back to Hammersmith Station. 

For dinner we decided to take the fifteen minute walk in the brisk evening air back to The Blue Anchor. On our way we passed a sculpture of Capability Brown who lived in Hammersmith during the 1700’s. He is given credit for being the father of the English landscape garden. We’ve watched quite a few programs about him on the ABC. 

When we arrived at The Blue Anchor the pub was heaving again with diners sitting at the outside picnic tables. We went inside to the cosy pub and there were quite a number of spare tables. 

Tomorrow is 8 May and London will be celebrating VE Day. We hope to see the parade in the middle of the day. We’re looking forward to it.